The Sunday herald., 1887-01-16
GRAPE AND WINE CHAT.

In 1918 Charles a. Wetmore, the executive ofncer
OF the California State viticultural Commission In
vestigated the condition and growth OF vticulture
in France. In his study Of the influence OF wine
upon health In that country he became acquainted
with some OF the distinguished men Of
the Society for the Promotion of Tenn
perance In France, and through DR.. l.. Lunler, In
spector General OF the Prisons and Insane Asylums,
secretary OF that society, Mr.. wetmore was elected
as one Of Its corresponding members. He gave
graphic descriptions OF his Impressions.
The statistical resources In France, he says, for
the study OF the questions he inquired into are re-
markably accurate and complete Dr. Luners Ia
bles show that the percentages OF accidents drunk
enness DEATHS insanity, and suicides attributable 10
alcoholic excesses vary directly In proportion to the
consumption OF beet root potaoe, and grain Spirits
and inversely In proportion 10 the consumption OF
wine; that where wine Ia consumed the most the
consumption Of spirits decreases that red wine dis
ricts show more fayoraby than the white. and that
even In the brandy producing district OF Cognac the
relations hold good as compared with white wine
consumption, and the habits OF the people do not
lean 10 large use OF brandy
Where pure wine ia freely used as daily food II
Ia found 10 lead TO no excesses whatever that terml
nate In alcoholism or drunkenness and their attend
iributable 10 pure wine as a daily food coul d be
found references TO such on the part Of medical
authorities either.
As TO the evidences OF popular happiness and
content, observe the gay songs, bright faces, and
alacrty 80 characterlzng the people OF wine coun.
tries-cOntrast the tired suilenness and silence that
brood over the dinner hour OF the working people Of
countries that nave no wine, who drench theiI
| stomachs with mood Of bad coffee, soak their hot
food at noon with cold water MI tired stomach n
a tired body at night without pleasure and con.
yivlal expression 10 revive tired Spirits and relieve
their minds by evening dullness or even bad TEN.
per, or by spirituous excitement in tue drinking
| saloon.
| Compare "grape- growing Greece and Italy viii
Turkey, Egypt, Arabia, and Persia; compare prohi
bitiOn Palestine with ancient wine-drlnklng Judea
| compare life In France and wlne.gfowiDg Germany
with that OF Russia, and II Will Instruct those who
cOniound the results OF characteristics, s0ca
oppression, and ages OF ignorance among working
people Win the results OF wine production.
| Public aud private morals, from study OF The In
| side OF French homes, will prove not 10 have SUI
fered from ylilculture. The honorable discharge o
duties and trusts, the administration OF Justice, hay
not been demoralized from the consumption o
nfleen hundred millions Of gallons Of wine an
nually aud the absorption OF one-nfh OF France
population Ia yitlculiural industries. No decadenc
is observable In the advancement OF arts an
sciences from the use OF wlne No curse hover
over the grapevine Heaven viii Dless American
yltoulture with reform FROM abuse OF dlstillates 4
national sobrlety Y. PohsDoRfF